Thursday, August 05, 2004

Standing em up and pushin em back

As expected the Iraqi security forces are maturing and growing more adept at fighting the anti-Iraqi terrorists and criminals which plague their nation. The ING, ISF and Iraqi police departments are taking the fight to the terrorists and repelling the attacks that are brought against them and innocent civilians. Here's more from today's DoD news:

Iraqi Forces Respond to Attacks in Mosul
American Forces Press Service
MOSUL, Iraq, Aug. 4, 2004 - Iraqi police and Iraqi National Guard soldiers here responded quickly today to a series of coordinated attacks targeting police, ING and multinational forces that left at least 14 Iraqi citizens dead and 31 wounded.
No Iraqi security forces or multinational forces were killed in the attacks.
Iraqi security forces repelled all of the attacks, killing eight terrorists and capturing two others who are being held by Iraqi police pending further investigation.
Multinational forces served in a supporting role, providing additional support where and when the Iraqi leaders involved in the attacks requested it.
The speedy response by ISF returned stability to the city and earned the governor's praise for their success stopping the attacks, Multinational Force Iraq officials said. "What has happened today, destruction by burglars and criminals, this proves that they are not real Iraqis," said Ninevah province Gov. Duraid Kashmoula. "The Iraqi police, the National Guard and the Facilities Protective Service personnel faced them and killed or arrested many of them."
During their response, police confiscated a large cache of weapons that contained rocket-propelled grenades, rifles, mortars, explosives and munitions.
The attacks occurred over a three-hour period and began at about 11:30 a.m. when terrorists fired on the Al Karama police station in eastern Mosul. No damage or injuries were reported in that incident. At about 1 p.m., an Iraqi police patrol was engaged with small-arms fire and RPGs in southern Mosul. The police returned fire and reported no injuries in that incident.
Attackers also attempted to disrupt the power and health care system in the city by attacking the Mosul Power Plant and the Al Jahmouri hospital in west- central Mosul with small-arms fire and RPGs.
Kashmoula imposed a citywide curfew that began at 3 p.m. today and will last until 6 a.m. Aug. 5. In an evening address to the people of Ninevah province, the governor stressed the need for calm.
"I am asking from you, my beloved people of Mosul, to stay calm and do not be afraid, because we will do our best to stop anyone who might bother you," Kashmoula said.
Terrorists are targeting security forces as well as facilities that provide for the health and well being of citizens of Mosul. These attacks underscore the desperation of terrorists in their attempts to halt the progress of democracy and prosperity in Iraq, coalition military officials said.
Since the transfer of sovereignty on June 28, Iraqi Security Forces continue to assume the majority of the responsibility for maintaining the overall security of the region, they added.